Ulysse Breting, Le Locle

• nickel movement, Pellaton style tourbillon, Guinand type 2 carriage (Meis classification) with pivoted detent chronometer escapement, gold wheel train and escape wheel, Breguet blued steel balance spring with perpendicular stud for preventing excessive amplitudes and double overcoil, entire train jewelled • glazed cuvette • white enamel dial, subsidiary seconds with fine gold arrow hand, diamond-set gold hands • engine-turned case, hand setting slide to the band, name inscribed inside the case • signed on the dial plate, dial and movement signed by the retailer Victor Siegfried A Strasbourg

The movement is running at the time of cataloguing. Dial in good condition. Case in very good condition. There is a small chip to the edge of the glass. This is an exceptional watch in overall very good condition.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

**Please be advised that bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping.

Important Notice regarding importation into the United States of Rolex watches
Sotheby's cannot arrange for the delivery of Rolex watches to the United States because U.S. laws restricts the import of Rolex watches. The buyer or a designated agent may collect the property in the country of sale."

While Geneva is regarded as the centre for beautiful and precious watches, the region between Le Locle and La Chaux-de-Fonds is the centre for precision and complicated watchmaking.
One of the most outstanding watchmakers of the valley is Ernest Guinand.
Born in 1810 and working in Le Locle, he was a distinguished specialist for tourbillon movements. Since 1865, he made between 20 and 25 tourbillons for Girard-Perregaux and other manufacturers, each of them a unique and outstanding piece. The characteristic "A-shape" of the tourbillon cage was his own design; during his lifetime he created three very iconic shapes. Although they do not differ in function from other tourbillons, they do differ in size and it is the size that makes them so hard to make. No one had made such a small tourbillon cage before and it would take another 40 years for the improved version to be created. In 1864 even Patek Philippe chose Guinand to build their first tourbillon regulator.
For more information about Ernest Guinand and his tourbillons see: Peter CDE and Thomas Prescher, Three Bridges in the Valley of Dreams, june 2003